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Experimental usage of AI brain-computer interfaces: computerized errors, side-effects, and alteration of personality

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posted on 2023-05-24, 06:40 authored by Stevens, I, Frederic GilbertFrederic Gilbert
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is currently funding experimental trials testing in human novel medical brain implants operated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The purpose of this chapter is to explore some ethical issues related to the experimental use of these invasive AI-controlled brain devices, in particular, deleterious phenomenological effects these devices may have on a patient’s personality and/or sense of self (i.e. patients suffering from postoperative self-estrangement despite symptom reductions). The evolution of these devices from open-looped stimulation to closed-loop personalized AI-controlled stimulation raises many safety concerns that may exacerbate these ethical issues. This new AI-controlled approach is unlike previous open-loop methods (i.e. traditional deep brain stimulation); the AI-tailored made frequency stimulation schedule depends on the computational measurement of patients’ brain states which fluctuates from patient to patient. Hence no universal safety standard and the potential for computational error resulting in plausible deleterious effects on a patient’s personality. The aim of this chapter is to explore how closed-loop stimulation undermines safety standards and results in skewed risk assessments for complex phenomenon such as a patient’s personality, but as well autonomy.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

Ethics of Medical Innovation, Experimentation, and Enhancement in Military and Humanitarian Contexts

Editors

D Messelken and D Winkler

Pagination

195-209

ISBN

9783030363192

Department/School

College Office - College of Arts, Law and Education

Publisher

Springer International Publishing

Place of publication

Cham, Switzerland

Extent

22

Rights statement

Copyright 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Bioethics; Technological ethics

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    University Of Tasmania

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